THE ORGANIZATION OF CONGRESS

Creation and Evolution Framers AGAIN we worried about executive power In turn, gave the Congress Legislative Power…or the power to make laws

BICAMERAL LEGISLATURE MEANING TWO….(BI=2) HOUSE= POPULATION SENATE= EQUAL REPRESENTATION WOW…WE DIDN’T KNOW THAT YET DID WE…WAIT THIS IS CALLED REVIEW

CONGRESS SESSIONS SESSION=ONE YEAR TERM=2 YEARS STARTS ON JANUARY 3 ON ODD YEARS BY THE 20 th Amendment

HOUSE REPRESENTS THE WILL OF THE MAJORITY (COMMON PEOPLE) SENATE REPRESENTS THE STATES (ELITE) BICAMERAL LEGISLATURE

REAPPORTIONMENT Reapportionment Act of 1929 Every ten years-A CENSUS has to be taken…this is for the purpose of reapportioning seats in the HOUSE. 1.HOUSE WILL ALWAYS REMAIN AT 435 SEATS… 2.THEY ARE DISTRIBUTED ACCORDING TO EACH CENSUS

CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTING OR HOW TO CONTROL CONGRESS… STATE LEGISLATURES PICK DISTRICT LINES… IF THE STATE IS OVERWHELMINGLY ONE PARTY OR ANOTHER…THEY CAN CHANGE THE LINES TO SUIT THEIR NEEDS

MUST HAVE EQUAL POPULATION SO ONE DISTRICT MAY BE HUGE, BUT BECAUSE IT IS RURAL…BE EQUAL TO A SMALL SECTION OF A BIG CITY. CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTING

GERRYMANDERING DRAWING DISTRICT LINES TO HURT A POLITICAL OPPONENT “PACKING” CHANGING DISTRICT LINES TO PACK THE DISTRICT WITH ENOUGH OF ONE PARTY TO WIN “CRACKING” SPLITING A DISTRICT SO THE OPPONENT’S SUPPORT IS SPILT BETWEEN TWO DISTRICTS

Members of Congress Salary – 27th Amendment Privileges and Benefits – Franking – Staff – Medical and Retirement – Protection from arrest or lawsuit while on the floor of Congress Punishment – Exclusion – Censure – Expulsion

Membership in the House 435 Members Qualifications – 25 years old – Citizen of U.S. for 7 years – Legal resident of state where elected --Term of Office – 2 years – Elections in even numbered years

Membership of the Senate Two From Each State Qualifications – 30 years old – Citizen of U.S. for 9 years – Legal resident of state where elected Term of Office 6 years Elections in even numbered years 1/3 up for reelection every two years

Members of Congress Characteristics Reelection Constant in the House – Incumbent Advantage Money – PACs Name Recognition Experience Franking Being a Congressman

REPRESENTATION One man one vote Baker v. Carr(1962) Baker filed suit against Carr, the Secretary of State of Tennessee Violated Equal Protection and the 14 th amendment Courts decided the States must redistrict Courts were concerned with POLITICAL QUESTIONS (enmeshed in two branches of government), if a case is JUSTICABLE

POWERS OF CONGRESS A REVIEW EXPRESSED POWERS TAX AND SPEND BORROW COINING MONEY COMMERCE FOREIGN RELATIONS POST OFFICES NATURALIZATION

IMPLIED POWERS EVERYTHING ELSE NOT STATED IN THE CONSTIUTION…OR WRITTEN

NONLEGISLATIVE POWERS IMPEACHMENT HOUSE- BRINGS CHARGES BY MAJORITY VOTE SENATE CONDUCTS TRIAL AND MUST HAVE A 2/3’s MAJORITY TO CONVICT

POWER TO PROPOSE CONSITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS 2/3’s vote in both houses NONLEGISLATIVE POWERS

POWER TO CHOOSE A PRESIDENT SENATE COUNTS ELECTORAL VOTES IF NO ONE PERSON HAS A MAJORITY…THE HOUSE ELECTS A PRESIDENT USED TWICE WITH JEFFERSON AND JOHN QUINCY ADAMS NONLEGISLATIVE POWERS

GIVING ADVICE AND CONSENT APPROVING PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTMENTS SENATORIAL COURTESY…THEY USUALLY ACCEPT EVERYONE. NONLEGISLATIVE POWERS

INVESTIGATIVE POWERS CONDUCTED BY COMMITTEES AND SUBCOMMITTES CALLED OVERSIGHT OR WATCHDOG FUNCTION…THEY WATCH THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE DOING THE RIGHT THING NONLEGISLATIVE POWERS